What does it take for you to 'retire' a pair of bibs?
 

What does it take for you to 'retire' a pair of bibs?

Assume that there's no crash-related tears which would require immediate replacement.

While we're on the subject, how old are your oldest functional bibs? Just curious.

- hole and thinning pads
- 4 years

...

I'm curious on why do people buy used shorts/bibs though. Sanitary issues + knowing that someone's nutsack sat on those pads are sort of disgusting.

No amount of cleaning can get rid of that image!

Chamois seperating from lycra, or thinning chamois.

worn enough the rider behind you could see flesh...

how many have i seen!!

An indecent exposure ticket.

Toward the end of summer I was getting speed bumps downstairs. Tried a number of different remedies, all failed to work. In the end I bought a new pair of shorts. Turned out the chamois was the issue. That's what it took for me, and 2000 miles..

I seem to change teams or the team changes kits before anything wears out. The bibs then get assigned to trainer duty - I have a few totes next to the trainer that I just toss outdated-kit stuff in. Okay, I also have a pile of clean clothing next to the trainer too.

Out of that stuff, the oldest bibs I'm wearing are ones from about 2001 or 2002. I wore them quite consistently on the trainer within a year or so, and I ride the trainer year round (it's just easier for me to schedule). I'd wear them outside if I had to.

I should point out that on the road I rotate through 4-5 pairs of shorts, 2-3 knickers, and 2 tights (all with chamois so they're base layers; I have "over" knickers and tights as well). Therefore I may not wear a pair as much as someone with 2 pairs of shorts (for example).

On the trainer I rotate through about 15-20 pairs of shorts, so, again, I don't wear the shorts as much as someone with fewer pairs. There are shorts, nice ones, that I've never worn outside for political or whatever reasons. Ditto jerseys.

I have stuff from the early 90s that I have just to have. I wouldn't wear them, even on the trainer. The kits are more for collecting.

I have a riding partner that isn't shy about telling me when my bibs need to be retired.

Is she hot?

When my wife says to!!

I wonder if triathletes retire their shorts after they poop in them.

I just threw away some Voler bibs 'cause they were draping loose, and irritated my crotch.

Oldest bibs are a couple of years old, but I haven't yet bought anything very expensive to see if the expensive ones last longer. Oldest shorts are Pearl Izumis: 3 years old, and I use them for short rides and trainer workouts.

Condemnation by local authorities.

No. But my wife refers to him as my boyfriend.

lol